Entry-level Architects salary in California
Roles that require limited judgement and close supervision. Typically less than two years of relevant experience or fresh graduates entering the field.
Entry-level Architects in California: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 222 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $79,768. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 222 | $79,768 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Entry-level Architects in California. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| SmithGroup, Inc., subsidiary of SmithGroup Co., Inc. | Architect (non-licensed) | 12 | $92,500 |
| Perkins & Will, Inc. | Designer | 8 | $85,696 |
| Corgan Associates, Inc. | Project Specialist | 6 | $79,629 |
| Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum, Inc. | Senior Design Professional | 4 | $85,000 |
| KTGY Group, Inc. | Designer | 4 | $79,768 |
| Aaron Brumer and Associates, Architects, Inc. | Architectural Designer | 4 | $69,000 |
| Rios Inc. | Designer | 3 | $80,350 |
| Koning Eizenberg Architecture Inc. | Architectural Designer | 3 | $83,600 |
| MAD OFFICE LIMITED | Designer | 3 | $64,480 |
| Harley Ellis Devereaux Corporation | Designer | 3 | $82,680 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Architectural Job Captain at Motive Studio, Inc.$75,400NapaWage Level IDecided Sep 30, 2025I-200-25266-329940
- Designer at Rios Inc.$80,350Los AngelesWage Level IDecided Sep 26, 2025I-200-25262-323377
- Sr. Design Professional at Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum, Inc.$95,000San FranciscoWage Level IDecided Sep 23, 2025I-200-25260-313576
- DESIGNER TECHNICAL II at SOLOMON CORDWELL BUENZ$69,763EL SEGUNDOWage Level IDecided Sep 17, 2025I-200-25253-299212
- Design Staff I at Boulder Associates Architects PC$90,563San FranciscoWage Level IDecided Sep 12, 2025I-200-25248-289141
- Architect at Corgan Associates, Inc.$87,000Culver CityWage Level IDecided Sep 10, 2025I-200-25246-282985
- Design Staff I at Boulder Associates, Inc.$88,000San FranciscoWage Level IDecided Sep 9, 2025I-200-25245-280178
- Intermediate Designer at Stacked Inc.$85,000Santa CruzWage Level IDecided Sep 5, 2025I-200-25240-272682
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.